GROWING IN MUSICAL ABILITY AS A GROUP By John Ewelukwa Udegbunam

GROWING IN MUSICAL ABILITY AS A GROUP By John Ewelukwa Udegbunam

5.0. Introduction: No parent will be happy discovering, after all toils to fend/train a child, that the child remained stagnant in physical and mental growth. Nonetheless the child, if sensible, will be happy seeing the physical and mental progress made by his/her colleagues or mates. This can generate lost of problem for the parents and the child. Same is applicable to any musical group that does not grow in musical knowledge or ability. This will cause serious problem for the mother group and the musical group themselves; the end is always disastrous. Any group that desires to be performing professionally and optimally must be organized, every program marshaled out clearly; teaching and learning must be followed religiously e.g. Days for general choir practice, instrumentalists day of practice, beginners practice days (instrumentalists), seminars etc. 5.1. Days for General Choir: A group should have days mapped out for general practice, this is a time when the whole members will assemble for practice. The selected days can be used for voice training, learning of new songs, or arranging already known songs into organized format. i.e. applying intro, chords, bridges, instrumentation etc., The choirmaster, song leader, music director or bandleader should learn or have pre- knowledge of vital songs to be learnt by the group. This facilitates the learning and capacity of the group. 5.2. Instrumentalists Practice Days: They should have days mapped out for practice or rehearsals and arrangement of songs. This should be seen as a serious business. 5.3. Beginners Practice Day: A group that wants to grow or face future challenges must work harder to teach new comers in the group, music. It is very important; hence no condition is permanent, no music instructor is sure to remain permanent where he or she is residing now. Good teachers or instructors are to be provided for the group. 5.4. More Advice for Growth  Individual Learning/Effort: Any individual who wants to be a good singer or player must not depend only on days of general practice for effective performance. He or she must learn or practice for about five hours and above every day.  The individual should be encouraged to make friend with good musicians for advice, direction and more lessons.  Listening to good Music: In this aspect, you don’t just listen for pleasure sake alone, you play the music over and over again, imitating and copying things there in; this needs high concentration and carefulness. 5.5. Seminar: Periodic music seminar is crucial. In seminar of such, experienced and solid professionals are invited to conduct the seminar. The seminar should be spiritual and technical. 5.6. Stage Performance: When it is time for performances, play songs you have rehearsed or know better, do not go to the stage to start learning songs before the audience. Let the singers or lead singers always listen to the cue i.e. the key of the intro before starting a song. The lead singer or singers can only start singing before the instrument only on arrangement; still he/she must start the song on an agreed key. The instrumentalists must give the right key to the singers in consideration of their voice range or pitch range.Finally,perseverance,humility,resourcefulness,dedication and prayer are also needed. Click to see my gospel music video and audio: http://bit.ly/1MGBNZr http://bit.ly/1KKPGT9 http://on.fb.me/1K09qiW